COLOMBIA: Mourning Becomes Shorter

In old Bogota, the customs of mourning were
ironbound. Even within the last 20 years, mourning still meant black
garments, closed doors, no music, no parties, no entertainment. This
mode of life lasted for five years after the death of a spouse, parent
or child; three years and six months for a grandparent, brother or
sister; two years for a cousin, aunt or uncle.

But times have been changing in the misty capital. Spanish custom has
been modified by the influence of the amiable French and the brisk
North Americans. Now Colombian Essayist Camilo Pardo Umana has
suggested a revised...